6 Reasons to study in Surf City, USA

Huntington Beach in California could easily be mistaken for paradise. Ten miles of award-winning sandy beaches are complimented by waves that any surfer would dream of getting the chance to ride. Take a break from the sun-soaked shores to explore some of the best parks, reserves and wetlands in the state, or head downtown to browse the trendy boutiques and restaurants at the heart of Huntington Beach’s laid-back atmosphere.

Set on the doorstep of Los Angeles, Huntington Beach offers students an experience rich in culture, as well as an education that acts as the perfect springboard into adult life.

1. Award-winning beaches…

Huntington Beach boasts 10 interrupted miles of wide, sandy beach with sunsets that would leave Instagram veterans foaming at the mouth (the #huntingtonbeach hashtag has had more than 1.4 million hits on Instagram). Bolsa Chica State Beach sits opposite the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve; scenic wetlands that host more than 200 regularly spotted species of bird. Huntington State Beach is a popular spot those students who love swimming and body board, with multiple fire rings dotted around beach for the purpose of personal bonfires, while the famous pier and gnarly surfs attracts more than 11 million visitors each year.

For dog lovers, there is also more than a mile-long stretch of beach where canines are permitted and allowed off the leash, consistently ranking as the top dog park/beach in Orange County. There are also several speciality dog stores and even a dog spa to please your pampered pooch.

Picture: surfcityusa.com

Here, the beach is life. From eating and drinking to yoga and professional volleyball, the beach is a hub for pretty much every activity. Make sure you get down to the annual Kite Party to see a vibrant array of colorful kites take to the sky.

More than 290 annual days of sunshine, with an average daily temperature of 72 degrees, means that Huntington Beach stays busy the entire year through. Named America’s Best Beach by Time Magazine, Best Beach in California by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice, and Best West Coast Beach by Coastal Living Magazine, this sandy shoreline is certainly not to be missed.

2. Home to some of the world’s best surfing spots…

Huntington Beach is not called Surf City for nothing! Whether you’re an expert on the waves or are yet to experience your first paddle-out on the ocean, Huntington Beach is a popular spot, and it boasts the amenities to make you feel at home. The five separate beaches cater to all surfer styles; tackle the larger waves by the pier, or head to a quieter spot for a local surf school lesson.

If spectating on the beach with a cocktail in hand sounds more up your street, Huntington Beach hosts some of the world’s largest surfing festivals and competitions. The US Open of Surfing for example, spans nine days at the peak of summer, featuring skateboarding and BMX competitions, movie premieres, live music and art exhibitions.

Huntington Beach also holds host to the annual Surf Dog competition, in which our most fearless canine companions compete for gold in a fun-filled family day of competitions and events. Now if that isn’t a deal breaker to come and study here, we don’t know what is!

Photography: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

3. The People…

The people in Huntington Beach are what make the place so special. Capturing the true Californian spirit, residents here are some of the friendliest people on the planet, while the same can be said for the people involved in education throughout this diverse region. At the Golden West College for example, you will find caring and dedicated professors, primed in state-of-the-art facilities, to guide you throughout your studies and prepare you for success in the outside world.

There is a real community spirit in Huntington Beach, with locals and visitors working together on events and activities to create such a vibrant atmosphere.

4. A passion for craft beer unrivalled in California…

Huntington Beach boasts a famous craft beer scene, with five local breweries pouring new and exciting beers each week to keep your tastebuds tantalised. There is also an annual craft beer festival many students attend, which celebrates the beer breweries and vendors that call Huntington Beach their home.

For the non-beer drinkers, why not experience some of California’s finest wines which can be found in specialist wine bars throughout town, often served with cured meats and artisan cheese. If neither beer or wine are to your fancy, then there are plenty of cocktail bars in which you may find your perfect beverage concoction.

5. A lively nightlife scene catering for all types of partygoer…

Once the sun sets on the golden sands, the area comes alive through its buzzing nightlife scene with live music and entertainment found throughout the town.

Picture: californiabeaches.com

An eclectic variety of bars and pubs reside on Main Street, with something to suit the need of every fun-loving soul – from upmarket jazz cafes to lively karaoke bars, you certainly won’t be short of options. Huntington Beach is also home to Orange County’s only mechanical bull for those who want to put their cowboy skills to the test.

For a more relaxed evening, students may head to the Bella Terra neighbourhood, where visitors are treated to a vast array of eateries, an amphitheatre with live entertainment and a 20-screen cinema multiplex.

6. California at your fingertips…

At Huntington Beach, you are a stone’s throw from LA and everything the city has to offer. From the Golden West College campus, students reside less than 15-miles from Disneyland, and for all the wildcats among you, Las Vegas is just a four-hour journey by car…

Venture deeper into the Californian state to discover a wealth of nature and wildlife nestled among some of the greatest cities in the world.

Photography: shainblumphoto.com

So, we think the question you now have to ask yourself is: Do you have any reasons not to choose Huntington Beach as your place of study?

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